2009

Polish-born Ania became passionate about film through her initial studies in journalism. Her early fascination with ordinary people’s lives grew into a desire to tell more in-depth human interest stories through the medium of film documentary.

Glasgow-born Tom Harrold has already had his music performed and recorded in London, Amsterdam, York, Glasgow, Aberdeen – and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago before going on to study composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, and now based in Edinburgh, Andrea won a 2008 BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award, in the Best First-Time Writer category, for the short film ‘The Flyer’, which she both wrote and directed.

Yorkshire-born mezzo-soprano Beth Mackay gained her first degree at Leeds University, during which time she sang in the Leeds Baroque Choir. She progressed to the RNCM in Manchester to pursue postgraduate vocal studies, moving on to continue her studies at the RSAMD in Glasgow.

Paisley-born actress Danielle has toured all over Scotland with PACE Youth Theatre Company and performed at Glasgow’s SEC to thousands of primary school children. Former members of PACE include film actor James McAvoy and singer Paolo Nutini.

Elisabeth studied English Literature at Harris Manchester College, where she won a scholarship. In 2004, she won the McDonough Prize and graduated in 2005. After leaving University Elisabeth focused on writing short stories, with the aim of pursuing a postgraduate creative writing course.

Edinburgh-born Fergal started his working life as a painter and decorator with a dream to perform on stage. By chance, he did some decorating work for a choreographer .... read on to discover what happened next.

Aberdeen-born Fiona studied initially at the Glasgow School Art, from which she graduated with a degree in fine art painting. Since then, she has worked as an artist, exhibiting in Scotland, England, Germany and Belgium.

Dundee-born cornettist Iain has had many notable successes in competitions, including winning best brass player four times at the Perth Festival from 2000-2004 and the Premier Class winner of Best Overall Soloist in 2003.

James Kenny, from Edinburgh, initially learnt to play piano from his mother, a piano teacher. At age 14, James was a pupil at Edinburgh City Music School where he studied double bass, piano, composition and choral singing.

Dunfermline-born Jemma got her start as a singer as a chorister at Dunfermline Abbey. She was subsequently awarded a music scholarship to St Leonard’s School in St Andrews where she continued her singing and piano playing and took up the bassoon.

Mezzo-soprano Katherine Grosset from Edinburgh first studied composition and performance at the University of Glasgow graduating with an honours degree in music. She later went on to study for a Master of Music in Vocal Training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with Susan McCulloch.

Glasgow-born Krysty Wilson is a graduate of RSAMD where she studied screenwriting and graduated with a first-class degree in digital film and television. She stood out amongst her peers as a natural-born talent.

Lliam was a pupil first at Dyce Academy, Aberdeen and later at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Music School where he studied composition, piano and horn. It is in his work as a composer where his prodigious musical talent is particularly evident.

From Sleat, the Isle of Skye, Màiri has been described as ‘outrageously talented’. Not only is she a prodigious talent on the clàrsach, but she also plays the fiddle and piano to an equally high standard.

In 2007 Patrick won a Dewar Arts Award to attend the Beijing International Trombone Festival. Following the festival, Patrick had classes with Niels Ole-Bo Johansen at the Royal Danish Conservatoire and Pete Madson at the University of Nebraska, USA.

Edinburgh-born Pauline graduated with a first-class degree in jewellery and silversmithing from the Glasgow School of Art. Since then she has won the 2009 Hammerman Award and the Goldsmiths Company Precious Metal Bursary Award.

When Sean Reilly, from Glasgow, was born, the doctors pronounced that he would never be able to walk because of clubbed feet. When he was four, he started to move to music, and Sean says that he has loved to dance ever since.

Glasgow-based Terri O’Brien, whose stage name is Terri O’Ryan, started pursuing her ambition to work in musical theatre at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre. She went on to study at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts for three years.